Chapter 985

And that's not even all of it — we still have to hand over another 10,000 gold coins?

No wonder even Zhao Shizhang is this furious.

He has always been a man who keeps his composure.

Zhao Shizhang sighed and sat down.

"The objective of this war has been set, and so has the enemy.

"The target is Horn Cliff Town to our west. We attack on October 10, three days from now!

"That place falls within the territory of General Yan Ling's World-Breaking Army. This time we really are going head-to-head.

"But… General Yan Ling's World-Breaking Army — they're the real resistance fighters. I truly don't want to go to war with them.

"I'm sure you've all heard of their deeds and their cause. That really is a great cause…

"It's a pity the world is in too much chaos right now.

"And although they're strong, they're still no match for those alien races.

"Last night we discussed until midnight. Two plans came up, but we never managed to settle on one.

"So today, I'm going to call a family vote.

"The final choice is left to all of you.

"Right now we only have two options before us.

"The first: endure.

"We keep on enduring as we do now, waiting for the future to change.

"Although we'll definitely keep being extorted by those alien races again and again, they'll always leave us a breath of life.

"After all, they still count on us to generate profits for them.

"At least for a fairly long stretch of time, we can still drag out a wretched existence.

"But… once even General Yan Ling is crushed, humanity will truly be reduced to the alien races' slaves once and for all.

"For a long time to come, we too will have no hope of turning things around.

"Still, most people in our family will ultimately survive.

"That is the first option."

The lords exchanged glances.

Everyone was thinking it over.

Even Su Qin, brimming with happiness, furrowed her brow and thought carefully.

But she didn't think long before turning to stare at Zhao Chi.

The meaning in her eyes was plain: whichever you choose, I'll choose.

Zhao Chi gave her a small smile.

Truth be told, Zhao Chi didn't want to make this choice.

It was simple — any option that supported the alien races, any option that benefited them, he didn't want to pick.

But that was only what he felt inside.

Reality was heavy.

If things continued in the current pattern, Zhao Chi could actually still live quite well.

He could keep on sheltering under the great tree of the Zhao family, growing carefully and swiftly.

Given enough time, he feared no one.

Not even the alien races.

But the other lords might have different opinions.

They didn't have Zhao Chi's kind of ability. Every alien action, every war, meant losses for them, carried the risk of defeat and death.

Zhao Shizhang silently watched the lords discuss, giving them a full fifteen minutes.

But a matter like this couldn't be settled by discussion — no matter how much time you gave, it would never be enough.

Zhao Shizhang cleared his throat.

"Alright, I'll lay out the second option, and we'll discuss it together.

"The second option is simply resistance — we become a resistance army too.

"Since the alien races have chosen General Yan Ling as their target this time, we surrender to General Yan Ling, turn our weapons at the last moment on the battlefield, and stab the alien races in the back.

"But if we choose this, I'm afraid we'll never have a peaceful life again.

"We'll definitely have to leave Brook Village and roam with General Yan Ling, east and west.

"And judging by the current situation, the alien races still hold an absolute advantage.

"Although we can shake off the alien races' oppression right now, from then on we'll be hunted and pursued by them without end.

"There will be no peace, ever.

"Die standing, or live on your knees — everyone, choose!"

After saying these words, Zhao Shizhang slumped back into his chair.

It wasn't that he had no strength left — he was simply weary at heart.

The fate of the entire Zhao family rested on this choice.

After he finished speaking, the lords' discussion actually quieted down a lot.

Everyone was thinking.

To choose the slow-boiled-frog path — slowly drained, slowly squeezed to death.

Or to choose the clean-cut path — damn it all, if we die, we die!

Going straight at them felt exhilarating.

Extremely passionate, brimming with fervor and heroic spirit.

But…

Most people still want to live.

Even if it's being boiled in lukewarm water, at least it's still lukewarm — they can live a while longer.

Who knows if there might be a turning point later?

Nobles who once seemed utterly impossible to strike down became fallen dogs overnight, holed up in the central district, unable to show their faces at all.

So might these Yizuye Society also end up like that in the future?

Only by living is there hope.

That saying is true enough, but if everyone thinks this way, there will never be any turning point at all.

We will forever remain slaves, forever ridden by the Yizuye Society.

That saying is also true, but…

The discussion grew louder and louder.

It even began to turn into argument.

Of these two options, the first is the most advantageous to Zhao Chi.

Lie low first, shrink back first.

This way of developing is the most stable.

But he still chose the second.

He felt that within his genes, that streak of red-hot passion was burning.

The charge seemed to have already been sounded.

One after another, the most beloved people had already charged forward.

In another world, another time, another history of resistance.

That time, that moment — just like this time, this moment.

This choice is not rational, but there must always be irrational people who charge forward first, to draw the rational people along in the charge.

Zhao Chi considers himself a rational person, but he is willing to be irrational this once.

The vote began.

Zhao Shizhang surveyed the circle.

"Everyone, think it over for one more minute. Don't act on impulse, don't follow blindly — vote according to your own thoughts.

"By the principle of the minority submitting to the majority, we must all accept the result of the vote.

"Even if the ending is bad, at least we chose it.

"The path we chose ourselves — let us bear the ending ourselves."